CU-TEC Progress Presentation at DST EAG–TEC Review Meeting

CU-TEC Progress Presentation at DST EAG–TEC Review Meeting (March 16, 2026)

The Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, convened the EAG–TEC Two-Day Review Meeting on March 16–17, 2026, at Technology Bhawan, New Delhi, to conduct one-to-one reviews of Technology Enabling Centres (TECs) across the country. Each TEC was invited to present its cumulative progress and impact before the Expert Advisory Group (EAG). The review was chaired by Prof. Nalinaksh S. Vyas, Chairman–TEC and Emeritus Fellow, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Kanpur, and attended by Praveen Roy, Head, Technology Translation & Innovation (TTI) Division, DST. The proceedings were coordinated by Krishna Kanth Pulicherla, Scientist ‘E’ and Member Secretary of the EAG.

Chitkara University was represented by a team comprising Amit Mittal, Pro Vice Chancellor (Research Programs), Sagar Juneja, Associate Director, Research and Coordinator of the Technology Enabling Centre (CU-TEC), and Chanpreet Singh, Senior Project Manager. The CU-TEC presentation was delivered by Dr. Sagar Juneja on March 16, 2026, highlighting the cumulative progress, outcomes, and impact generated by the centre.

The Chitkara University Technology Enabling Centre (CU-TEC) has demonstrated exceptional performance and tangible outcomes, particularly noteworthy given its modest funding support. With a total funding of INR 75 lakhs, the centre has established itself as a high-impact innovation and translation hub, delivering results that significantly exceed expectations. CU-TEC has successfully developed 41 technologies, many of which emerged through strong industry-academia collaborations, reflecting its focus on translational research and real-world problem solving. The centre has enabled 16 technology transfers and facilitated the commercialization of 15 technologies, underscoring its effectiveness in moving innovations from lab to market.

In the domain of intellectual property and innovation, CU-TEC has supported the filing of 17 patents and secured 12 design registrations, strengthening the innovation ecosystem within the institution. The centre has also enabled 42 consultancy projects and facilitated 13 externally funded projects, demonstrating its growing credibility and engagement with industry and funding agencies. Additionally, CU-TEC has played a pivotal role in nurturing entrepreneurship by supporting the creation of 12 startups, contributing to the development of a vibrant startup ecosystem.

CU-TEC’s extensive outreach and industry engagement efforts further highlight its impact. The centre has organized more than 100 industry-oriented events and facilitated over 100 industry visits, fostering strong linkages between academia and industry. It has also built connections with 12 industry bodies and associations, enhancing collaboration opportunities and regional innovation networks. These efforts have contributed to generating a revenue of INR 8.5 lakhs, indicating early success in financial mobilization despite the primary focus on ecosystem building.

The activities of CU-TEC are strategically aligned across five key focus areas: Computer Vision and Artificial Intelligence; Medical, Assistive Technologies, and Pharmaceutical Solutions; Industrial and Manufacturing Technologies; Energy Technologies; and Waste Management and Environmental Technologies. These domains reflect national priorities and ensure that the centre’s contributions are both relevant and impactful.

The Expert Advisory Group (EAG) highly appreciated the performance of CU-TEC, particularly recognizing its ability to deliver substantial outcomes with limited resources. The centre was acknowledged for its strong industry engagement, effective translation of research into applications, and its role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. The achievements of CU-TEC clearly demonstrate a disproportionate impact relative to the funding received, positioning it as a model TEC in terms of efficiency, productivity, and outcome orientation.

The EAG members, including Krishnan Balasubramaniam and K. Sankaran, provided constructive recommendations emphasizing the importance of strengthening revenue generation mechanisms to ensure long-term sustainability of the centre. These suggestions are aligned with CU-TEC’s future vision of becoming a self-sustaining hub for technology development, translation, and commercialization.

Overall, the CU-TEC presentation at DST highlighted a compelling success story of innovation, collaboration, and impact. The centre has built a strong foundation for technology translation, demonstrated measurable outcomes across multiple dimensions, and created a robust ecosystem that bridges academia, industry, and entrepreneurship. With continued support and strategic focus on sustainability, CU-TEC is well-positioned to further scale its impact and serve as a benchmark for Technology Enabling Centres across the country.

Below is a quick summary of outcomes of Chitkara University Technology Enabling Centre

  • 41 technologies developed, with strong industry–academia collaboration
  • 16 technology transfers successfully executed
  • 15 technologies commercialized, demonstrating strong lab-to-market capability
  • 17 patents (15 + 2) and 12 design registrations facilitated
  • 42 consultancy projects and 13 funded projects enabled
  • 12 startups supported, strengthening the innovation ecosystem
  • 100+ industry events organized and 100+ industry visits conducted
  • Established linkages with 12 industry bodies and associations
  • Generated INR 8.5 lakhs revenue
  • Delivered high-impact outcomes with INR 75 lakhs funding, showcasing exceptional efficiency and resource utilization